Sealed printed circuit jack plug connector

ABSTRACT

A jack plug connector having a four sided hollow non-conductive housing with plug contacts mounted therein for contacting the jack plug. The contacts have tabs thereon which fit into apertures in printed circuit boards which are secured to each side of the housing and form the top and bottom walls of the housing. Components and conductors are secured in the apertures of the printed circuit board and all the apertures are sealed as by soldering.

United States Patent [191 Gasparaitis et al.

[11] 3,812,310 [451 May 21,1974

SEALED PRINTED CIRCUIT JACK PLUG CONNECTOR Inventors: Bernard Gasparaitis, Fort Lauderdale; Dennis J. Maloney, Margate, both of Fla.

Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Chicago, 111.

Filed: June 11, 1973 App]. No.: 368,804

U.S. Cl. 200/51 R, ZOO/51.1, 317/101 CC, 317/101 R Int. Cl H04r 13/70 Field of Search ZOO/51.1, 153 S; 179/96; 317/101 R; 333/97 S References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1970 lzumi zoo/51.1

3,641,464 2/1972 Crowhurst et a1 317/101 CC Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eugene A. Parsons; Vincent J. Rauner [57] ABSTRACT A jack plug connector having a four sided hollow nonconductive housing with plug contacts mounted therein for contacting the jack plug. The contacts have tabs thereon which fit into apertures in printed circuit boards which are secured to each side of the housing and form the top and bottom walls of the housing. Components and conductors are secured in the apertures of the printed circuit board and all the apertures are sealed as by soldering.

11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures minnow 21 I974 313121310 sum 2 0? 2 SEALED PRINTED CIRCUIT JACK PLUG CONNECTOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Jack plug connectors are often used in electrical devices such as portable radios and particularly portable two-way radios. The jack plug connectors and jack plugs may be used to disconnect an internal speaker and connect an earphone for private listening by the user. Another example of use for such a device is to disconnect an internal microphone or antenna and connect an external microphone or antenna. The portable two-way radios used in these applications are subjected to the extremes of environmental conditions such as snow, sleet and rain. The openings provided by the jack plug connector allow entry of the moisture, rain or snow into the interior portions of the radio. This can cause substantial damage to the electrical circuitry. Rubber boots and cement have been used in order to seal the jack plug connector contacts from the remainder of the radio, however, these rubber boots are difficult and expensive to install and are easily damaged both during installation and maintenance. In addition,

connections must, of course, be made to the contacts of the jack plug connector. These contacts must extend through the boot if a boot is used, adding an extra hole which can allow the entry of moisture into the radio compartment.

Oftentimes, components must be located as close as possible to the contacts of the jack plug connector. In prior applications, these components were connected at one end to the contact of the jack plug connector and at the other end to a conductor. The component then was unsupported, and when the unit was subjected to vibration, would itself break or break the connection to either the conductor or the jack plug contact.

SUMMARY It is an object of this invention to provide a sealed jack plug connector.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sealed jack plug connector which is easy to assemble and manufacture.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sealed jack plug connector which provides facility for the rigid connection of components or connectors thereto.

In practicing this invention, a jack plug connector is provided for mounting inside an electrical device. The jack plug connector includes a hollow housing of insulating material formed from four side walls. A cylinder extends through one of the side walls and through the exterior wall of the electircal device. This cylinder is secured to the wall of the electrical device. The connector accepts a jack plug inserted through the cylinder into the housing. Conductive contact members are secured in slots on the inner surfaces of the housing side walls. These contact members will contact the jack plug when inserted. Each contact member has securing and connection tabs which extend outwardly beyond the side walls of the housing. First and second printed circuit boards are secured to the side walls of the housing to form the top and bottom wall of the housing, respectively. The printed circuit boards have apertures therethrough. Certain of the apertures are for mounting electrical components and conductors, and, certain of the apertures have the conductor member tabs extending therethrough. The tabs, components, and conductors when properly positioned in the apertures are soldered in place forming a sealed jack plugconnector which prohibits the passage of moisture from the jack plug aperture into the interior of the electrical device.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jack plug connector with one printed circuit board exploded away to reveal the internal assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the jack plug connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a jack plug 10 of the miniature telephone type. Jack plug 10 includes a first end contact portion 1 1 and a second body contact portion 12. Housing 13 covers the contact members which provide connection to end contact portion 11 and body contact portion 12. a

Jack plug connector 15 includes a housing 16 having four side walls, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Side wall 17 has an aperture 23 extending therethrough. A cylindrical bushing 24 is seated in the aperture and glued in place. Cylindrical bushing 24 has a threaded portion 25 extending anterior to side wall 17. Threaded portion 25 in actual usage willbe inserted through an aperture in the outside wall of an electrical device such as a twoway portable radio. Part of threaded portion 25 will extend out of the wall in the electrical device. A nut will be threaded onto threaded portion 25 securing threaded portion 25 cylindrical bushing 24 and housing 16 to the exterior wall of the electrical device. Housing 16 will be located inside the electrical device. The nut and exterior wall described above are not shown in the drawing. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the use of a threaded portion 25 on cylindrical bushing 24 which is secured to the exterior wall of a device by a nut as is described above.

A hollow or open section 27 is fonned by side walls 17, 18, 19 and 20. The surface of side wall 18 adjacent hollow 27 has an L-shaped notch 28 cut therein. A U- shaped depression 29 is also cut in the same side of side wall 18 adjacent L-shaped notch 28. A similar L- shaped notch 30 and similar U-shaped depression 31 is formed on the side of side wall 20 facing in towards hollow 27.

A first conductive member 34 includes a first bar shaped portion 35. A second L-shaped connecting portion 36 connects the center of bar shaped portion 35 to an approximately square plate portion 37. Another L- shaped portion 38 extends from the bottom of square shaped portion 37 in the same direction as L-shaped connecting portion 36. First bar shaped portion 35 of first conductive member 36 is slid into L-shaped notch 30 of side wall 20. The ends or tabs 39 of bar shaped portion 35 extend out past the edges of side wall 20 at this point when first conductive member 34 is properly positioned in notch 30. This is because the edges of side walls l7, 18, 19 and 20 adjacent hollow 27 are cut down as shown at 40. The purpose for this cut down or trimmed away portion of the edges of side walls 17, 18, 19 and 20 will be more fully explained in a subsequent portion of this application. First conductive member 34 is glued in place in notch 30.

Second conductive member 42 includes a first bar shaped portion 43 and a second curved portion 44, connected to first bar shaped portion 43 at the approximate midpoint. Second conductive member 42 must be flexible and may be made of spring tempered nickel silver alloy with a hard gold plating to provide good resilient characteristics and high conductivity. First bar shaped portion 43 of second conductive member 42 and inserted into L-shaped notch 28 in side wall 18. The end portions or tabs of first bar shaped portion 43 extend out beyond the edges of side wall 18 at this point in the same fashion as the end portions or tabs 39 of first bar shaped portion 35 of first conductive member 34. The first bar shaped portion 43 is glued into L- shaped notch 28. When first conductive member 34 and second conductive member 42 are secured in place, L-shaped portion 38 of first conductive member 34 will contact and bear against the end of second curved portion 44 of second conductive member 42. Both will be positioned in notch 29 of side wall 18.

A third conductive member 47 has an aperture 48 through the center thereof. Aperture 48 is large enough to allow first end contact portion 11 to pass through. The side walls of aperture 48 will make contact with body contact portion 12 as it is passed therethrough. Third conductive member 47 also includes conductive mounting and connection tabs 49. Conductive member 47 is positioned on the side of side wall 17 facing hollow portion 27, with aperture 48 coaxially aligned with aperture 23 in side wall 17. Tabs 49 extend beyond the grooved out, or cut down portion of the side walls as do the end portions of first bar shaped portion 35, and first bar shaped portion 43 of first conductive member 34 and second conductive member 42, respectively. Third conductive member 47 is glued in place as is done with first and second conductive members 34 and 42, respectively.

In operation, when jack plug is inserted into cylindrical bushing 24, end contact portion 11 will resiliently bear against second curved portion 44 of second conductive member 42 forcing the edge of second curved portion'44 away from L-shaped portion 38 of first conductive member 34. Electrical and mechanical contact between first conductive member 34 and second conductive member 42 is therefore broken by insertion of end contact portion 11. When jack plug 10 is fully inserted, the sides of aperture 48 in third conductive member 47 make electrical and mechanical contact with body contact portion 12 of jack plug 10.

U-shaped notch 29 in side wall 18, in addition to proalso acts to prevent deformation of second conductive member 42. First conductive member 34 and second conductive member 42 have a fixed size and form factor in relation to notched out portion 29 and hollow 27. Should the end of second curved portion 42, which contacts L-shaped portion 38 of first'conductive member 34 become deformed, it is possible that first conductive member 34 and second conductive member 42 will not make contact when jack plug 10 is removed. If the deformation is due to a bending'downward of the end portion of second curved portion 44, the dimensions of U-shaped notch 29 can be used to rectify this problem.

Should the end portion of second curved portion 44 be bent downwardly, upon insertion of jack plug 10, and contact with second curved portion 34, by end contact portion 11 the entire second curved portion 44 will be resiliently bent downwardly. The end of second curved portion 44 will strike the bottom of U-shaped notch 29 if bent downwardly to an excessive degree. The force against the end of second curved portion 44 caused by U-shaped notch 29 along with the force against the center of second curved portion 44 caused by end contact portion 11 of jack plug 10 will cause the end of second curved portion 44 to deform and return to its correct position so that it again will make contact with L-shaped portion 38 of first conductive member 34.

Two printed circuit boards 52 and 53 are shown. Printed circuit boards 52 and 53 are identical and have printed circuitry on both sides. It is to be understood, however, that identical printed circuit boards need not be used, nor need printed circuitry exist on both sides of the printed circuit board. Apertures 54 extend through the printed circuit boards and printed circuitry. Printed circuit board 52 is seated in the cut down portion of the edges of side walls 17, 18, 19 and 20 shown at 40, and forms the top wall of housing 16.

Printed circuit board 52 is glued in place as was true of the first, second and third conductive members. It being understood, however, that other means may be employed for securing the conductive members and printed circuit board in place, the only requirement being that they be held in place and moisture be prevented from passing between the seams. The tops or end portions of first bar-shaped portion 35 and first bar-shaped portion 43 in first conductive members 34 and second conductive member 42 extending out the top of housing 16 pass through certain ones of apertures 54 in printed circuit'board 52. Tabs 49 of third conductive member 47 which extend out the top of the housing 16 also pass through certain ones of the apertures 54 in printed circuit board 52.

Printed circuit board 53 is mounted in an identical manner to printed circuit board 52 on the other edge of side walls 17, 18, 19 and 20, and becomes the bottom wall of housing 16. Again, as with top wall 52, bottom wall 53 will have tabs 49 and the tabs or end portions of first bar-shaped portions 35 and first barshaped portion 43 extending out the bottom of housing 16, extend through apertures 54. The remaining apertures in printed circuit boards 52 and 53 may be used for securely mounting electrical components such as resistors. Conductors, connected to remaining portions of the electrical device may also be connected to printed circuitry 55 on printed circuit boards 52 and 53 via connection to apertures 54. Each conductive member secured in housing 16 is connected to a separate section of printed circuitry 55 so that each may separately be connected to portions of the electrical device via the above-noted conductors. When the conductors have been properly secured and the components added, the apertures of both printed circuit boards may be sealed as by soldering thus entirely sealing the interior of jack plug connector 15 from the interior of the electrical device in which it is located.

As can be seen, an improved sealed jack plug connector has been provided which prevents the entry of moisutre, rain or snow into the electrical device in which it is mounted. In addition, the improved jack plug connector provides means for mounting conductors and components rigidly so that they will not break or rupture due to shock, and also provides means for correcting deformation of contacts by continued insertion and removal of the jack plug.

We claim:

1. A jack plug connector for mounting inside an electrical device, wherein the connector accepts a jack plug inserted through an exterior wall of said device including in combination; a hollow housing of insulating material formed from four side walls, cylinder means extending through one of said side walls and having a portion extending anterior said side wall and through said exterior wall of said electrical device from inside to outside thereof, said cylindrical portion being secured to said exterior wall of said electrical device, said jack plug removably projecting through said cylinder means into said housing, conductive contact means secured to the inner surfaces of said housing side walls for contacting said inserted jack plug, said contact means having securing and connection tabs thereon, a first printed circuit board having first apertures therethrough for mounting components and connecting conductors, said printed circuit board being secured to said side walls to form a top wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said first apertures and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors, means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall of said housing, said top, bottom and side walls being sealed to prevent entry of moisture into said device through said connector.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said contact means includes first and second contact members, said contact members having a first electrical and mechanical relationship when said jack plug is inserted and a second electrical and mechanical relationship when said jack plug is removed.

3. The connector of claim wherein said means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall is a second printed circuit board having second apertures therethrough for mounting components and connecting conductors, said second printed circuit being secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said second apertures of said second printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said second contact member is fixedly secured in said housing, said first contact member is fixedly secured in said housing and movable with respect to said first contact member, and further including a third contact member having an aperture therethrough and tabs thereon, said third contact member being fixedly secured to the inner surface of said side wall having said cylinder means extending therethrough.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said housing is formed from plastic.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said jack plug has a first end contact portion and a second body contact portion both being inserted into said electrical device and connector, said end portion contacting said first and second members and said body portion contacting said third contact member.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said first apertures in said top wall and said second apertures in said bottom wall are sealed by soldering.

8. The connector of claim 7 wherein said housing has a U-shaped depression fonned in the inner surface of one of said side walls, said first and second contact members having end portions positioned in said U- shaped notch, said jack plug end portions being operative upon insertion into said connector to cause said end portions of said first and second members to separate, said U-shaped depression inhibiting excessive deformation of one of said first and second contact members when separated.

9. A jack plug connector for accepting a jack plug including in combination a hollow housing of insulating material formed from four side walls one of said walls having an aperture therethrough through which said plug is removably projected, conductive contact means secured to the inner surfaces of said walls for contacting said jack plug, said contact means having securing and connecting tabs thereon, a first printed circuit board having first apertures therethrough for mounting components thereon and connecting conductors thereto, said printed circuit board being secured to said side walls to form a top wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said first apertures of said first printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors, means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall of said housing, said side walls and said printed circuit board, said printed circuit board apertures and said means secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall being sealed to prevent seepage of moisture therethrough.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said means secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall of said housing is a second printed circuit board having second apertures therethrough for mounting components thereon and connecting conductors thereto, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said second apertures in said second printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors.

11. The connector of claim 10 wherein said first and second apertures are sealed by soldering. 

1. A jack plug connector for mounting inside an electrical device, wherein the connector accepts a jack plug inserted through an exterior wall of said device including in combination; a hollow housing of insulating material formed from four side walls, cylinder means extending through one of said side walls and having a portion extending anterior said side wall and through said exterior wall of said electrical device from inside to outside thereof, said cylindrical portion being secured to said exterior wall of said electrical device, said jack plug removably projecting through said cylinder means into said housing, conductive contact means secured to the inner surfaces of said housing side walls for contacting said inserted jack plug, said contact means having securing and connection tabs thereon, a first printed circuit board having first apertures therethrough for mounting components and connecting conductors, said printed circuit board being secured to said side walls to form a top wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said first apertures and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors, means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall of said housing, said top, bottom and side walls being sealed to prevent entry of moisture into said device through said connector.
 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said contact means includes first and second contact members, said contact members having a first electrical and mechanical relationship when said jack plug is inserted and a second electrical and mechanical relationship when said jack plug is removed.
 3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall is a second printed circuit board having second apertures therethrough for mounting components and connecting conductors, said second printed circuit being secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said second apertures of said second printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors.
 4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said second contact member is fixedly secured in said housing, said first contact member is fixedly secured in said housing and movable with respect to said first contact member, and further including a third contact member having an aperture therethrough and tabs thereon, said third contact member being fixedly secured to the inner surface of said side wall having said cylinder means extending therethrough.
 5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said housing is formed from plastic.
 6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said jack plug has a first end contact portion and a second body contact portion both being inserted into said electrical device and connector, said end portion contacting said first and second members and said body portion contacting said third contact member.
 7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said first apertures in said top wall and said second apertures in said bottom wall are sealed by soldering.
 8. The connector of claim 7 wherein said housing has a U-shaped depression formed in the inner surface of one of said side walls, said first and second contact members having end portions positioned in said U-shaped notch, said jack plug end portions being operative upon insertion into said connector to cause said end portions of said first and second members to separate, said U-shaped depression inhibiting excessive deformation of one of said first and second contact members when separated.
 9. A jack plug connector for accepting a jack plug including in combination a hollow housing of insulating material formed from four side walls one of said walls having an aperture therethrough through which said plug is removably projected, conductive contact means secured to the inner surfaces of said walls for contacting said jack plug, said contact means having securing and connecting tabs thereon, a first printed circuit board having first apertures therethrough for mounting components thereon and connecting conductors thereto, said printed circuit board being secured to said side walls to form a top wall of said housing, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said first apertures of said first printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors, means secured to said side walls to form a bottom wall of said housing, said side walls and said printed circuit board, said printed circuit board apertures and said means secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall being sealed to prevent seepage of moisture therethrough.
 10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said means secured to said side walls to form said bottom wall of said housing is a second printed circuit board having second apertures therethrough for mounting components thereon and connecting conductors thereto, particular ones of said tabs of said contact means extending through particular ones of said second apertures in said second printed circuit board and being secured therein for providing electrical contact between said contact means and said conductors.
 11. The connector of claim 10 wherein said first and second aPertures are sealed by soldering. 